Saturday, March 31, 2012

The Ministry of Railways has revised passenger fares with effect from tomorrow i.e. 1st April 2012 in AC-First Class, AC-2 tier, Executive Class and First Class only. There is no revision in other classes of travel. The revised fares in these classes would be applicable to all types of trains on Indian Railways network.

The revised fares will also apply to tickets issued in advance for journeys to commence on or after 1st April 2012. In the case of tickets already issued at pre-revised rates, the difference in fares from 1st April 2012 will be recovered from passengers either by TTEs in the trains or by the booking offices before commencement of the journey by the passengers as per the usual practice in case of such fare revisions.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Damodaran Committee was set up by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on May 26, 2010 to look into banking services rendered to retail and small customers. The Committee submitted its report to RBI on July 04, 2011. The Committee has recommended that customer should be allowed to maintain the same account number in a bank even when he/she moves to another city or shifts his account to another branch in the same city. RBI has taken action on the recommendations submitted by the Damodaran Committee and in October, 2011 advised Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for implementation of the above recommendation.

RBI has also stated that provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Rules do not support account portability between banks as records pertaining to identity of a client has to be maintained by the bank establishing relationship with the customer for a period of 10 years from the date of cessation of the transactions between the client and the bank.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of February, 2012 increased by 1 point and stood at 199 (one hundred & ninety nine).

During February, 2012, the index recorded maximum increase of 5 points in Puducherry centre, 4 points each in Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Mariani Jorhat centres, 3 points in 4 centres, 2 points in 10 centres and 1 point in 30 centres. The index decreased by 5 points in Quilon centre, 3 points each in Tiruchirapally and Salem centres, 2 points in 2 centres, 1 point in 8 centres, while in the remaining 17 centres the index remained stationary.

The Government had introduced the New Pension System (NPS) from 1st January, 2004 through a Notification dated 22nd December, 2003 for new entrants to Central Government service, on mandatory basis, except to Armed Forces, joining service on or after 01.01.2004 replacing the existing system of defined benefit pension system. NPS has also been extended to autonomous bodies, State Governments and un-organised sector. The employees working in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are not covered mandatorily under NPS. However, three CPSEs, viz Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. Manganese Ore (India Ltd. ) and NALCO have adopted NPS on voluntarily basis with effect from 01.01.2004, 01.07.2011 and 01.01.2007 respectively.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

All persons including physically handicapped persons can book full fare tickets on payment through the internet. However, booking of concessional tickets requiring verification of the requisite concession certificate and also retention of copies of the said certificate issued/signed by the competent authority at the railway counter as documentary evidence is not done through internet. Accordingly, the facility of e-ticketing has not been extended to such cases where the physical document is to be verified at the time of booking on concessional fare in case of disabled persons.

Rail reservations through the IRCTC website are available from 00:30 hours to 23:30 hours. The services are not available for only one hour from 23:30 hours to 00:30 hours when the system is shut down for maintenance activity.

The working of the system is regularly monitored. The following measures have been taken to improve the functioning of the IRCTC website.

[TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, EXTRA ORDINARY, PART II, SECTION-3, SUB-SECTION (i) ]

Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and Training

New Delhi, the 28th March, 2012.

NOTIFICATION

GSR...(E)... In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 read with clause (5) of article 148 of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India in relation to persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, namely: -

[TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, EXTRAORDINARY, PART II, SECTION-3, SUB-SECTION (i) 1

Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and Training

Notification

New Delhi, the 28th March, 2012.

GSR....... In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 read with clause (5) of article 148 of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in relation to the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, namely:-

Instructions have been issued vide Board’s letter No. TC-II/2910/09/Duronto Train dated 30-9-2009 (Commercial Circular No.53 of 2009) regarding the basic fare structure and classes of travel available on Duronto Express Trains. With a view to facilitate inspection of these trains, the issue to allow ‘Duty Passes’ on Duronto Express Trains was under consideration in Board’s Office.

2. After careful consideration, it has been decided to allow railway offcials to travel in Duronto Express Trains while travelling ON DUTY only subject to the following:

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The ex-servicemen Associations have been demanding for several years grant of same pension which is granted to new pensioners with same rank and same length of service irrespective of date of retirement, popularly known as "One Rank One Pension" (OROP). The differentials in pension between the past and the new retirees arise on account of the fact that the computation of pension depends on the pay scale of the person at the time of retirement and pension undergoes change as and when the pay scales are revised.

Their requests have been considered by the Government and over the years several improvements have been made in pension of past pensioners in accordance with the recommendations of successive Pay Commissions, as accepted by the Government. The Cabinet Secretary Committee constituted by the Government of India to look into the demand of OROP and related issues gave seven recommendations to reduce the gap between past and current pensioners. All the seven recommendations were accepted and implemented which has significantly reduced the gap between the past and present pensioners and also considerably improved the pension of disabled ex-servicemen. However pension reform is a continuous process.

This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony in written reply to Shri T.M. Selvaganapathi in Rajya Sabha today.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The investment of pension funds of Government employees, who are covered as subscribers to the New Pension System (NPS), was hitherto being made through a pooling arrangement whereby the funds of such employees were credited to a pool account (pending reconciliation of subscribers’ contribution details) from which such funds were allocated to pension fund managers for immediate investment in the best interest of the subscribers. These funds of the Government employees are being managed based on the investment Pattern prescribed by the Government.

The pension funds of the Government employees, who are covered by NPS, are managed by three pension fund managers, namely, SBI Pension Funds (Pvt.) Limited, UTI Retirement Solutions Limited and LIC Pension Fund Limited.

Section 80E of the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides for a deduction to an assessee (being an individual), out of his income chargeable to tax, on account of any amount paid by him in the previous year by way of interest on loan taken by him from any financial institution or any approved charitable institution for the purpose of pursing his higher education or for the purpose of higher education of his relative.

Under the earlier provisions, the deduction was available only for pursuing full time studies for any graduate or post-graduate course in engineering, medicine, management or for post-graduate course in applied sciences or pure sciences including mathematics and statistics.

It has been decided to declare Saturday, the 14th April 2012, as a Closed Holiday on account of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, for all Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments throughout India.

Sub:- Regarding Detailed head for consolidated pay or remuneration paid to a contracted person.

It is observed that for making payment of consolidated pay or remuneration to the contracted persons, some departments are treating such payment differently. In some cases it is incurred under detailed / sub-detailed heads “01-01” whereas in some cases it is incurred under detailed head ‘02’ and in the rest cases it is incurred under detailed / sub-detailed head ’31-01’. Such bookings may lead to improper accounting as well as confusion.

Instructions were issued vide Board’s letter of even number dated 10-7-2008 raising the validity period of half set of Privilege/Post Retirement Complimentary /Widow Passes to four months from the date of issue as in the case of full set passes. Further, in terms of instructions issued vide Board’s letter No. E(W)2010/ PS 5-17/1 dated 3-6-2011, Privilege Pass/PTO/Post Retirement Complimentary Pass in the next year’s account should not be issued more than 100 days in advance of beginning of the next year.

Monday, March 26, 2012

The Government has sanctioned 426 Polyclinics for Ex- Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). 227 Polyclinics were sanctioned in the year 2002, all of which are functional. Due to increasing ESM population an additional 199 Polyclinics including 17 Mobile Clinics were sanctioned in October 2010, out of which 43 Polyclinics are operational, thus at present 270 Polyclinics are functioning. In addition the Government has sanctioned 15 new Regional Centers to strengthen the ECHS Services, out of which 6 Regional Centers are already functional. As on 1st March, 2012, there are 39,46,898 beneficiaries which include 12,34,069 ex-servicemen and 27,12,829 dependents.

The ECHS beneficiaries can avail treatment at state Government hospitals/Clinics. The cost of treatment at Government hospitals is reimbursed at the approved rates and 80% advance of the estimated cost of the treatment at Government hospitals/Clinics is admissible to the ECHS beneficiaries.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Ministry of Finance’s O.M. of even number dated 11th November, 2011, vide which the various decisions taken by the Government on the recommendations of the Shyamala Gopinath Committee for Comprehensive Review of National Small Savings Fund (NSSF), were communicated to all concerned.

2. One of the decisions of the Government based on the recommendations of the Committee relates to revision of interest rates every financial year, to be notified before 1st April of that year. Accordingly, the rates of interest on various small savings schemes for the financial year 2012-13 effective from 1.4.2012, on the basis of the interest compounding/payment built-in in the schemes, shall be as under:

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA/BHARAT SARKAR MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS/RAIL MANTRALAYA (RAILWAY BOARD)

S.No. PC-VI/2801 No.PC-VI/2012/I/RSRP/1

RBF No.40/2012 New Delhi, dated 23.03.2012

The GMs/CAOs(R), All Indian Railway & Production Units (As per mailing list)

Sub:- Railway Service (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 – Date of next Increment in the revised pay structure under Rule 10 of the RS(RP) Rules, 2008.

In accordance with the provisions contained in Rule 10 of the RS(RP) Rules, 2008, there will be a uniform date of annual increment, viz, 1st July of every year. Employees completing 6 months and above in the revised pay structure as on 1st of July will be eligible to be granted the increment. The first increment after fixation of pay on 1.1.2006 in the revised pay structure will be granted on 1.7.2006 for those employees for whom the date of next increment was between 1st July, 2006 to 1st January, 2007.

There are so many tax saving investment options; how Mutual fund ELSS Schemes stand out from all other options?

A Mutual Fund ELSS is similar to diversified equity funds. That means the fund manager can invest in shares of various companies across various industries. The difference is ELSS has got the added tax benefit, something a diversified equity fund does not offer.

ELSS is part of the Section 80C instruments which are cumulatively eligible for a deduction from income up to Rs.1 Lakh. This gives the tax payers benefits from 10 per cent to 30 per cent (excluding the educational cess) based on their current tax slab.

The other tax saving investments like NSC, PPF will give only 8% return p.a whereas the Mutual Fund ELSS has got the potential to deliver more than 12% return p.a. Also the lock-in period in Mutual Fund ELSS is 3 years and with NSC it is 6 yrs lock-in and with PPF it is 15 years. Among the various tax saving investment option, Mutual fund ELSS has got the least lock-in period.

Ulips are also one of the tax saving investment options. But now everyone has realized that Ulips has got heavy front loaded charges. Moreover smart investors want to separate their insurance from their investments. They no longer see insurance as an investment; they see insurance as a protection plan. So the smart investors go only for pure term insurance and reject ulips.

Prabu was a college student till yesterday. Today he has got a job. He has changed his costume from T-shirt and jeans to a formal wear with a tie. When he got his first pay cheque, his father advised him to save, his girl friend asked him to take her out on a date, and his friends wanted a party. Prabu was totally confused what to do with his first salary. What are all his actual priorities? Let us help him by laying out a step by step initial financial plan for him.

Get a PAN Card:

PAN Card is an ID card issued by income tax department. This card is useful in filing your Income Tax returns. Apart from this, the PAN card is very much useful in opening a bank a\c, demat a\c, investing in mutual funds and the like. The required documents for getting a PAN card is a passport size photo, address proof and an identification proof. You need to apply with either UTI or NSDL. They are the two approved agencies by income tax department for issuing PAN card.

Personal Accident and Disability Insurance:

Almost every day you can find a news column about road accident. It may be your colleague, your distant relative, your neighbor, your friend, your classmate. The stories of such incidents give us a reminder that the accidents can happen to anyone. The impact of these accidents on ones working life could be huge. Some accidents could reduce our employability temporarily or permanently. Personal accident and disability insurance policies will cover the financial losses arising out of accident and disability.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Don’t put off today what you can’t afford to do tomorrow. In spite of the world wide pension crisis and a growing acceptance that we must plan and save for our retirement, the harsh reality is we are actually not saving enough. Research reports reveal that only 15% of the individuals are saving sufficiently for their retired life. Here are a few tips on things to do before you retire so that your retired life is more comfortable and enjoyable.

Get Rid of All Your Debts

If you are taking a housing loan, personal loan, car loan or any other loan make sure that you will be repaying them on or before your retirement. You need to choose the term of the loan in accordance with your retirement age. You can enjoy your retired life when you have 100% financial freedom, not when you have to repay your loans.

Protect Your Emergency fund

Emergency expenses can happen any time. But the possibility goes up during the old age. So we need to enhance the emergency reserve year on year based on the inflation and change in your expense levels. Emergency fund will give you a sense of security and also you need not touch your other investments during emergency where you need to pay pre-closure penalty. Also don’t forget to refill the emergency fund once you met an expense out of emergency fund.

The undersigned is directed to say that the final result of the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2010 in the grade of Private Assistant of CSSS has been declared by Staff Selection Commission and is available on the website of SSC. As per Rotational Transfer Policy for CSSS Personnel, an official at any level, on promotion, shall be posted out of the Ministry/Department if he/she has served in the same Ministry/Department in any capacity for a period exceeding the prescribed tenure for promotion laid down in this Department’s O.M. No.13/1/2009-CS-II dated 15.7.2011.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Over four-million central government employees will go home with an increased pay packet from now, with the union cabinet Friday hiking the dearness allowance to 65 percent of the basic salary from the existing 58 percent with retrospective effect from 1st January this year.

The hike, about 7 percent from the present rates, will also be applicable to central government pensioners.

The increase in the allowances will cost the government exchequer Rs.7,474.53 crore annually, according to the decision taken at the cabinet meeting presided by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.1.2012 representing an increase of 7% over the existing rate of 58% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise. The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both dearness allowance and dearness relief would be of the order of Rs.7474.53 crore per annum and Rs.8720.32 crore in the financial year 2012-13 (i.e. for a period of 14 months from January, 2012 to February, 2013).

Thursday, March 22, 2012

On the basis of recommendations of Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE), the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) is formulating a policy for enhancement of age of superannuation from 58 to 60 years for employees of such sick and loss making Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) whose revival packages have been approved by the Government and which will continue to be in Public Sector after implementation of revival package. The above policy would be notified after inter-ministerial consultations and approval of competent authority.

The above information was given by the Minister for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Shri Praful Patel in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, has launched the scheme for booking Railway e-tickets through mobile phone through its website i.e. irctc.co.in/mobile. The broad features of the schemes are as follow:-

Users can use their existing IRCTC user ID and password.

After booking tickets through the mobile phones, users receive a reservation message with the ticket details.

The service charges of IRCTC are similar to e-tickets i.e. Rs. 10/- per ticket for second/sleeper class and Rs. 20/- per ticket for all other classes.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri K. H. Muniyappa in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

We expected the same that didn’t happen last week, but Today Cabinet may approve 7% additional Dearness allowance from 1.1.2012 for Central Government staff and pensioners.

Normally, the decision on announcing DA to the central government employees was to take place on the 2nd week of March and September every year. But this procedure was being postponed for various reasons. Last year, the announcement of DA from July 2011 was also postponed. The decision on the additional DA from March 2012 is expected to be finalized on 22.03.2012 at the Cabinet meeting scheduled on that day.

Subject:- Submission of Immovable Property Return for the year 2011 (as on 1.1.2012) by the Central Secretariat Service Officers.

Attention is invited to this Department O.M. of even number dated 4.1. 2012 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the Immovable Property Return (IPR) for the year 2011, as on 1.1.2012, in respect of CSS Officers (Under Secretary and above level) was required to be furnished by 31.1.2012 and to be forwarded to this Division by 28.2.2012 for records. However, the IPRs in respect of a large number of officers have not yet been received in this Division as yet. The list of officers whose IPR for the year 2011 have not been received in this Division is annexed with this OM.

Providing Medicare to Ex-servicemen and their dependents is an ongoing process and the endeavor of the government is to continuously upgrade the quality of medicare services being provided. The Government has approved opening of additional 199 polyclinics including 17 mobile polyclinics besides the existing 227 polyclinics to improve accessibility of Ex-servicemen to medical facilities. Out of 199 polyclinics, 43 polyclinics have already been operationalised.

Opening of new polyclinics is based on the ESM population in a particular area. Mobile polyclinics are proposed for remote/hilly areas where the ESM population is less and scattered. Presently 342 districts have been covered with 426 ECHS polyclinics (270 operational & 156 proposed) including 17 mobile polyclinics. The newly sanctioned polyclinics will be operationalised across the country including Himachal Pradesh in a phased manner over a period of time.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in a written reply to Shrimati Viplove Thakur in Rajya Sabha today.

The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has informed the Rajya Sabha that Reliable estimates of employment and unemployment are obtained through quinquennial labour force surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Office. Last such survey was conducted during 2009-10 .As per two most recent round of surveys, about 23.4 per cent and 25.3 percent of persons were estimates to employed in services sector. Against these estimates persons employed in social sector comprising education, health and social work and other community , social and personal service activity combined together were 6.0 per cent and 5.3 percent ,respectively during the corresponding period.

As per data collected under Employment Market Information programme of Directorate General Of Employment & Training, employment in the organized sector, both public and private, increased from 26.4 million in 2004-05 to 28.7 million in 2009-10.

There are so many tax saving investment options; how Mutual fund ELSS Schemes stand out from all other options?

A Mutual Fund ELSS is similar to diversified equity funds. That means the fund manager can invest in shares of various companies across various industries. The difference is ELSS has got the added tax benefit, something a diversified equity fund does not offer.

ELSS is part of the Section 80C instruments which are cumulatively eligible for a deduction from income up to Rs.1 Lakh. This gives the tax payers benefits from 10 per cent to 30 per cent (excluding the educational cess) based on their current tax slab.

The other tax saving investments like NSC, PPF will give only 8% return p.a whereas the Mutual Fund ELSS has got the potential to deliver more than 12% return p.a. Also the lock-in period in Mutual Fund ELSS is 3 years and with NSC it is 6 yrs lock-in and with PPF it is 15 years. Among the various tax saving investment option, Mutual fund ELSS has got the least lock-in period.

The undersigned is directed to say that a number of representations have been received in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for renewal of recognition of Sumananjali Nursing Home, Aurangabad (Maharashtra) for treatment of Central Government Employees and their family members under CS(MA) Rules, 1944.

2. In view of the hardships faced by CS(MA) beneficiaries for their own treatment and the treatment of their family members at Aurangabad (Maharashtra), the matter has been examined in the Ministry and it has been decided to empanel Sumananjali Nursing Home, Aurangabad (Maharashtra) under Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944.

Eight Simple Ways to Plan your Taxes. You have got only a few more months to complete this financial year. Very soon you will get a call from your company to submit the proofs for tax saving investments. So why don’t you spend some time on organising your tax plan?

1) Proper Allocation of Annual compensation

Restructuring your salary with some additional components can reduce your tax liability. This restructuring doesn’t require any additional cash outflow. The following components can be efficiently used to reduce your income tax liability.

Transport allowance to the extend of Rs.800 is exempt

Medical expenses which are reimbursed by the employer are exempt to the tune of Rs.15000

Food coupons like sodexo or ticket restaurant are exempt from tax up to Rs.5000

Individuals who are all living in a rented accommodation can include House Rent Allowance ( HRA ) as a part of their salary

Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) can be part of your salary as this can be claimed twice in a block of 4 years.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

(PUBLISHED IN PART I SECTION 1 OF GAZETTE OF INDIA) F.NO. 5(1)-B(PD)/2011 Government of India Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs)

New Delhi, the 19th March, 2012

RESOLUTION

It is announced for general information that during the year 2011 2012, accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the General Provident Fund and other similar funds shall carry interest at the rate of 8% (Eight per cent) for the period from 1.4.2011 to 30.11.2011 and 8.6% (eight point six percent) with effect from 1.12.2011. The funds concerned are:—

Sub:- Clarification on booking of tickets from an agency other than the authorized travel agents by non-entitled officers/staff.

References are being received in this HQrs office seeking clarification on regulating of LTC claims in respect of officials who are not entitled to travel by air but carry out the journey by air (Air lndia/Pvt airlines) on LTC etc. due to unavoidable or other circumstances. Clarifications are also being sought as to whether a non-entitled officer should compulsorily book their air tickets from the authorized agents viz. M/S Barmer & Lawrie & M/S Ashoka Travels etc. as brought out in this HQrs office important circular of even number dated 16/09/20 10 and 24/8/2011.

F.No. 5(2)-B(PD)/2011 Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs

New Delhi, the 19th March, 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject :- Advances to Government servants — Rate of interest for purchase of conveyances during 2011-2012.

The undersigned is directed to state that the rates of interest for advances sanctioned to the Government servants for purchase of conveyances during 2011-2012 i.e. from 1st April, 2011 to 31st March, 2012 are revised as under:-

In accordance with the provisions contained in Rule 10 of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, there will be a uniform date of annual increment, viz, 1st July of every year. Employees completing 6 months and above in the revised pay structure as on 1st of July will be eligible to be granted the increment. The first increment after fixation of pay on 1.1.2006 in the revised pay structure will be granted on 1.7.2006 for those employees for whom the date of next increment was between 1st July, 2006 to 1st January, 2007.

The Pension Implementation Committee, a sub committee of the Central Board of Trustees, Employees’ Provident Fund [CBT (EPF)], has recommended that the minimum monthly pension under EPS, 1995 be increased to Rs. 1000/- per month as an interim measure. The issue was placed for consideration of the CBT(EPF) in its 198th meeting held on 22.02.2012 wherein the Board decided to defer the discussion.

As on 31st March, 2011, the number of employees getting pension benefits from the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation is 36,00,089.

This information was given by Minister of Labour and Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge in reply in reply to a written question whether there is a proposal to provide fixed minimum pension to all the employees who are covered under Employees` Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO); if so, the details thereof along with the minimum amount the Government is planning to give to the pensioners; whether the Government has decided to revise the existing scheme in view of the demands of the workers for a reasonable hike in their EPF pension; the time by which the enhanced pension is likely to be disbursed; and the number of employees who are getting pension benefits from the EPFO at present?

The new pension scheme has been implemented in all the ordnance factories including Jabalpur based ordnance factories.

HVF NPS Reformation Association, Avadi filed an OA before CAT Madras Bench challenging the implementation of New Pension Scheme introduced by the Government of India as unconstitutional and violative of Article 14, 16 & 21 of the Constitution of India contending, inter alia, that new pension scheme does not guarantee any minimum return on investment of employees. A strike had been called on 28.2.2012 by All India Defence Employees Federation, Indian National Defence Workers Federation and BharatiyaPratirakshaMazdoorSangh jointly demanding to scrap the new pension scheme.

No proposal for considering the implementation of old pension scheme in ordnance factories is under consideration

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM PallamRaju in a written reply to Shri Rakesh Singh in Lok Sabha today.

The Government has extended the benefits of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) to Nepal Domiciled Gorkha (NDG) pensioner Ex-servicemen and their dependents. Medical facilities will be provided through 3 ECHS polyclinics at Kathmandu, Pokhara and Dharan. One mobile clinic will also be attached with each of the polyclinic. The polyclinics will provide outpatient treatment and patient requiring hospitalization will be referred to empanelled hospitals in Nepal. Cashless treatment will be provided by these hospitals as is the case in India. The manpower for ECHS Polyclinics and the mobile clinics will be engaged on contractual basis. NDG Ex- servicemen residing in India already have coverage of this scheme since its inception.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM PallamRajuin a written reply to Shri Manicka Tagore in Lok Sabha today.

The details of shortage of manpower in the three Services of the Armed Forces are as follows:

Army

Navy

Air Force

10526

17711

8289

Government has taken a number of measures to encourage the youth to join the Armed Forces, including conduct of Recruitment Rallies, Media Campaigns, etc. The number of youth aspiring to join the Armed Forces has shown an increasing trend over the last few years.

This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri AK Antony in a written reply to KunwarRewati Raman Singhand others in Lok Sabha today.

Please refer to Board’s above mentioned letters, wherein guidelines were issued regarding engagement of part time teachers on contract basis against short term vacancies of teachers in Railway Schools.

2. Terms and conditions applicable to appointment of such contractual teachers were also detailed in above referred letter including the remuneration admissible to them.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

4,000 residential quarters are to be constructed for Central Armed Police forces. Rs. 1185 crores has been allocated for this purpose in the Union Budget 2012-13 presented in Lok Sabha recently.

In this project, 228 sites have been identified across the country where lands are available with the CAPFs and construction can be taken up. These sites have been grouped into 39 clusters, which have further been clubbed into 4 lots. Approximately 57787 houses and 348 barracks are proposed to be constructed. Earlier it was proposed to construct 64643 houses and 536 barracks at 262 sites in 5 lots. The remaining 6856 houses and 188 barracks will be now constructed through CPWD/PWOs as a part of works programme of CAPFs.

Exemption Limit for Individual Taxpayers Raised to Rs. 2 Lakh Upper Limit of 20 Per Cent Tax Slab Raised to Rs. 10 Lakh Deduction up to Rs. 10,000 Proposed for Savings Bank Interest Senior Citizens not Having Income from Business Exempted from Payment of Advance Tax

The exemption limit for the general category of individual taxpayers has been enhanced to Rs. 2,00,000 from Rs. 1,80,000 in the General Budget 2012-13, presented by the Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in the LokSabha here today. This measure will provide tax relief uptoRs. 2,000 to every taxpayer in this category.

The following steps have been taken Indian Railways to prevent the misuse of general and Tatkal reserved tickets:

1. Revised Tatkal scheme has been implemented w.e.f. November 21, 2011 which necessitates passengers to indicate prescribed proof of identity at the time of booking and carry the same during the journey. Other measures under the scheme include non issuance of duplicate tickets, prohibition of booking Tatkal tickets by agents between 0800 hrs. and 1000 hrs. and not granting refunds on confirmed Tatkal tickets.

2. With a view to preventing cases of travelling on transferred tickets, Indian Railways have made carrying one of the prescribed proofs of identity (in original) mandatory, during journey by AC-III tier, AC-II tier, AC Chair Car, Executive and 1st AC classes, by any one of the passengers travelling on a tickets.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Sixth Central Pay Commission has recommended the introduction of new performance based pecuniary benefit, over and above the regular salary, for Government employees. The benefit will be called Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) and will be payable taking into account the performance of the employees during the period under consideration. The recommendation has been accepted by the Government. Guidelines are being worked out through inter-departmental consultation.

Rule 16(3) of the All India Services (DCRB) Rules, 1958has been amended on 31st January, 2012 which provides that the Central Government may in consultation with the State Government concerned, require a Member of the All India Service (AIS) to retire from Service in public interest, after giving such Member at least three month’s previous notice in writing or three month’s pay and allowances in lieu of such notice:-

To All Regional Provident Fund Commissioners, In-charge of the ROs/SROs

Subject:- Process of settlement of claims in view of declaration of rate of interest for the financial year 2011-12 — Regarding.

Sir,

This is in reference to the Head Office circular No. Invest.1/3(2)/133/11-12-ROI/51350 dated 14.03.2012 (placed at Sl. No. 602 of ‘Office Orders & Circulars 2011-12’ on EPFO’s website) vide which rate of interest @8.25% pa. for the financial year 2011-12 has been conveyed. The IS Division has already released Application S/w Patch Ver 3.29.1” dated 15-03-2012 for the same.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No.18/3/2003-Dir., dated 8.7.2005 and 5.5.2006 wherein stitching charges to be provided for woolen pant and woolen salwar in respect of employees of Non-Statutory Departmental Canteens/Tiffin Rooms functioning under Central Government Offices were prescribed. These stitching charges have since been reviewed in consultation with Home(Finance) and it has been decided to revise stitching charges for woolen pant to ` 180/- and for woolen salwar to ` 60/-. These would be admissible once in two years.

Sub:- Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers for Classes I to VIII - reg.

Dear Sir,

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India, vide its Notification F.No. 1-13/2009-EE-4 dated 31st March 2010, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 23 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, has authorised the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) as the academic authority to lay down the minimum qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Passenger fares increased marginally. The increase will be by 2 paise per km for suburban and ordinary second class; 3 paise per km for mail/express second class; 5 paise per km for sleeper class; 10 paise per km for AC Chair Car, AC 3 tier and First Class; 15 paise per km for AC 2 tier and 30 paise per km for AC I.

Railway Minister Shri Dinesh Trivedi has proposed to extend 50% concession in fare in AC 2, AC 3, Chair Car and Sleeper Classes to patients suffering from ‘Aplastic Anaemia’ and ‘Sickle Cell Anaemia’. As a measure of social welfare, Indian Railways extends travel concessions to more than 50 categories of travelers which include students, sportspersons, scouts & guides, farmers, senior citizens, teachers, girls, youth, patients etc. The value of concessions granted to travelers is more than Rs.800 crore per year.

He also announced extending the facility to travel by Rajdhani & Shatabdi Trains to winners of Arjuna Awards. He said the decision follows the laurels brought to the country by these sportspersons in their respective fields.

The cadets undergoing their pre-commission training at the various training academies get a fixed stipend of Rs.21,000/- per month for the last one year of training before commissioning. This stipend is converted to pay for all purposes on successful completion of training and the arrears of the allowances admissible are paid. The VI Central Pay Commission did not agree to the Services` demand to grant provisional commission in the last year of training with full pay and allowances and all attendant benefits of the commissioned rank as successful completion of pre-commission training is a pre-requisite for the grant of commission in the Defence Forces, a situation which is not totally comparable with the civilian side.

This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri T.M. Selvaganapathiin Rajya Sabha today.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Government said it was contemplating introduction of a health insurance scheme for central government employees and pensioners with special focus on non-CGHS areas.

Stating this in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the serving central government employees in non-CGHS areas are provided healthcare facilities under the CS(MA) Rules, 1994, but pensioners are not covered under these rules.

The Minister said the pensioners are, however, entitled to a fixed medical allowance of Rs 300 per month.

He said pensioners residing in non-CGHS areas have the option to become a CGHS member in any CGHS-covered city of their choice to avail the medical facilities under the Scheme.

Date and Time of Closing : 09-04-2012 upto 17.30 hrsDate of Exam : 09-09-2012(refer para 17 of the general instructions)

CENTRALISED EMPLOYMENT NOTICE NO.01/2012

Applications are invited in the prescribed format as enclosed (on a good quality A-4 size bond paper 80 GSM using one side only) from eligible Indian Nationals for the following posts. Applications complete in all respects along with required enclosures should be sent by post to the concerned Railway Recruitment Board, as mentioned in Para-15 of General Conditions, so as to reach on or before 09-04-2012 upto 17.30 hrs. The applications can also be dropped in the box kept at the premises of RRB offices concerned , till the closing date. For candidates residing in Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Lahaul & Spiti districts and Pangi sub-division of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshwadeep islands and for candidates residing abroad, the closing date for receipt of applications by posts will be 24-04-2012 upto 17.30 hrs.

No.4/2/2012-CS.II (A) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and Training

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,New Delhi-110 003. Dated: 9th March 2012.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub:- Fixation of range of seniority for promotion from PA to PS Grade of CSSS - Select List Year - 2010 - regarding.

Reference is invited to this Department O.M. of even number dated 17-2-2012 on the above mentioned subject and to say that the information regarding recommendation of DPC for promotion of PA to the PS Grade of CSSS for the Select List year 2010 was required to be furnished in the prescribed proforma by 19-3-2012.

No. 7(4)/E. Coord/2011 Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure

New Delhi dated 10th January, 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: – Provision of computer at the residence of officers of the level of Joint Secretary or equivalent and above-reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM Nos. 7(4)/E.Coord./99 dated 1st August, 2000, dated 4th March, 2002 and 29th July, 2004 on the above subject. Keeping in view the advancement and rapid obsolescence in the configuration of desktop computers, it has been decided, in consultation with D/o Information Technology, that subject to the minimum configuration as in the Annexure to this OM, Ministries/Departments may decide on the configuration (hardware and software) of desktop computers to be provided to officers of the level of Joint Secretary and above themselves. The overall cost ceiling will however remain unchanged at Rs. 1,00,000/- (Rs. One lakh only) per piece (hardware and software included).

A new Air India Domestic Fare list has been updated on its official website of Air India. In the detailed fare list, Table –2 is for LTC Scheme. The table has base fare and fuel charge and ten percent discount offer on the base fare while booking through Air India website.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

In Circular No. 283(60)-PS datcd 21.02.2012 of the Home (Political) Department, Government of West Bengal, it was directed that all Stale Government Offices would remain open on 28.2.2012 and all Government employees should report for duly. It as also mentioned therein that no leave would be granted to any Government employee on that date. In spite of the above Circular it has been noticed that some employees did not attend office on that day.

Applications are invited upto 5.30 p.m. on 04.04.2012 for Teacher Eligibility Tests for the year 2012 from the candidates in Tamil Nadu.

In accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 23 of the RTE Act, the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) had vide Notification dated 23rd August, 2010 laid down the minimum qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in classes I to VIII. It had been inter alia provided that one of the essential qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in any of the schools referred to in clause (n) of section 2 of the RTE Act is that he/she should pass the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) which will be conducted by the appropriate Government in accordance with the Guidelines framed by the NCTE.

Teachers Recruitment Board is designated as the Nodal Agency for conducting of Teacher Eligibility Test and recruitment of Teachers as per G.O. (Ms) No. 181, School Education (C2) Department, Dated 15.11.2011.

Sub:- Constitution of Committee for,interview/viva-voce in connection with recruitment to Group ‘C’ posts and posts in Pay Band-I of ` 5200-20200 (Grade Pay: ` 1800) including screening of Substitutes on Indian Railways.

Attention is invited to letter under reference, para 112 of Indian Railway Establishment Manual, Volume-I (Revised Edition-1989) (First Reprint Edition 2009) and item No. VI 2 (v) of Master Circular No. 51 on the subject of “Reservation for Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes in Railway Services”, wherein provisions have inter-alia been made for constitution of interview/viva-voce in connection with recruitment to Group ‘C’ posts and posts in Pay Band-I of ` 5200-20200 (Grade Pay: ` 1800) including screening of Substitutes on Indian Railways.

The move Implements the Announcements made in the Railway Budget 2011-12

The Minister of Railways, Shri Dinesh Trivedi today announced introduction of 26 new trains, extension of five existing trains, increase in frequency of two existing trains and introduction of new five sub-urban trains. Most of these new services announced were part of the Railway Budget 2011-12. The trains announced in the Railway Budget 2011-12 are implemented by the end of the financial year i.e. 31st March 2012. With this announcement, 115 out of 132 new trains proposed for introduction during Railway Budget 2011-12 will get introduced, 19 out of 22 increase in frequency of trains proposed in Railway Budget 2011-12 will be effected and all the extension of trains proposed in Railway Budget 2011-12 will get implemented. Efforts are being made to ensure introduction of other remaining services proposed in the Railway Budget 2011-12 by the stipulated date of 31st March, 2012. Today’s announcement include three Duronto, one Shatabdi, one fully AC Express, three Rajyarani Express, nine Mail and Express services, three MEMU services, three DEMU services and five EMU services.

Subject :- Fixation of ‘range of seniority’ (zone of promotion) for promotion of Stenographers Grade ‘D’ to Personal Assistant(PA) Grade of CSSS for the Select List Year-2010 - reg.

Reference is invited to this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 16th February, 2012 on the subject mentioned above vide which all the cadre units were requested to place the cases of all eligible Stenographers Grade ‘D’ who were covered within the prescribed ‘range of seniority’ and who had not yet been included in the Select List of PAs of CSSS before the DPC to assess their suitability or otherwise for promotion to the PA grade of CSSS. Cadre Units were also requested to furnish the recommendations of the DPC alongwith vigilance clearance in respect of all the eligible officers who are working in their cadre units including those who had been transferred to their cadre units from other cadre units on their ad-hoc promotion to PA grade of CSSS.

Subject:- Local purchase of stationery and other articles from Kendriya Bhandar, NCCF and other Multi-State Cooperative Societies having majority shareholding by the Central Government.

The Ministries/Departments may kindly refer to Department of Personnel and Training O.M. No.14/12/94-Welfare (Vol.11) dated 5.7.2007 on the above subject. It is stated that the validity of the O.M. dated 5.7.2007 beyond 31.3.2010 was extended with the approval of competent authority for a period of two years i.e. upto 31.3.2012 vide O.M No.14/1/2009-Welfare dated 16.3.2010.

In the Government Order read 3rd above, orders were issued revising pension in respect of State Service Employees and Teachers based on Scale of pay which came into force with effect from 01.07.2009 vide Government Orders read 1st and 2nd above. The corresponding revised scale of 1st Grade Professors of Arts and Science Colleges under non UGC category is not included in the Annexure XII of Government orders read 1st and 2nd above. Many representations have been received requesting to revise the pension of above category reckoning revised scale of `. 36140-49740 since the same scale of pay was sanctioned to their counter part in Music College and College of Fine Arts.

As per the Government Order first read above the State Government employees are entitled to avail three days as Restricted Holidays in a year. The Government also directed in the G.O. that 35 festivals were notified as Restricted Holidays.

Subject:- Preparation of panel of Senior Principal Private Secretary of CSSS for the SL Year 2012 - calling for ACR/APAR, vigilance clearance etc.

The undersigned is directed to say that in connection with the subject mentioned above, the ACR/APARs, latest Vigilance Clearance and major/minor penalty certificate fur the last 10 years in respect of Principal Private Secretaries as indicated in Annexure to this OM may please be furnished to this Department positively by 27.03.2012.

The undersigned is directed to say that in connection with the subject mentioned above, the ACRs/APARs, latest Vigilance Clearance and major minor penalty certificate for the last 10 years in respect of Senior Principal Private Secretaries as indicated in Annexure to this OM may please be furnished to this Department positively by 26.03.2012.

Subject:- Rotational Transfer of Section Officers with more than 16 years of service in the same Ministry/Department.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No. 21/7/2011-CS.I (D) dated 08th September, 2011 vide which the details of Section Officers who have completed more than 7 years in the same Ministry/Department in whatever capacity was sought in connection with Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1654 dated 10.08.2011. The information has since been received from Ministries/Departments and has been compiled. A decision has been taken in DOP&T to implement RTP in a systematic manner with the approval of the Competent Authority. The implementation schedule has been circulated to all the Ministries/Departments vide OM No. 4/12/2011- CS-I(D) dated 02nd March, 2012.

Attention is invited to Rule 5 (2) of Central Civil Accounts Service (Lower Division Clerk Group ‘C’ Post) Recruitment Rules, 2010, as per the aforesaid provisions 5 % of the vacancies shall be filled on seniority-cum-fitness basis from Group C staff (Multi Tasking Staff) who have three years regular service in post with the Gradc Pay of Rs. 1800.

The General Manager (P), Central Railway/Mumbai; Eastern Railway/Kolkata; Northern Railway/New Delhi; North Eastern Railway/Gorakhpur; Northeast Frontier Railway/Guwahati; Southern Railway/Chennai; South Central Railway/Secundrabad; South Eastern Railway/Kolkata; Western Railway/Mumbai; East Central Raliway/Hajipur; East Coast Railway/Bhubneswar; North Central Railway/Allahabad; North Western Raliway/Jaipur; South Western Raliway/Hubli; South East Central Raliway/Bilaspur; and West Central Raliway/Jabalpur.

No. 4/12/2011-CS-I (D) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training)

Lok Nayak Bhavan, New Delhi The 2nd March, 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Implementation of Rotational Transfer Policy in respect of officers of the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) in all grades.

The Rotational Transfer Policy of CSS officers prescribes a fixed tenure of posting for an officer of the Central Secretariat Service in a particular Ministry/Department. One of the objectives of the Rotational Transfer Policy is gaining of exposure by the officers to different challenging situations in varied Ministries/Departments which will not only help them individually to progress in their career but result in the betterment of the administrative system as a whole.

In terms of Finance Department Memorandum No. 9728-F(P) dated 24.10.2011, the facility of child adoption leave has been extended to the female Govt. employees- The matter of child adoption leave for the female Teaching & Non-teaching employees of Non- Govt aided Secondary Schools of this State Govt. was under active consideration for some time past.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) have announced the result of Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2011 and Roll Numbers of the candidates who have qualified for Personality Test for selection to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service and other Central Services (Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’). Personality Tests of these candidates will commence from 19th March, 2012. Personality Tests will be held at UPSC. The date and time of Personality Test is being intimated to the qualified candidates individually. The date and time of Personality Tests of candidates being called for Personality Test from 19th March, 2012 will be displayed on the Commission’s Website at http://www.upsc.gov.in. The candidates who do not receive any communication regarding their Personality Test, should immediately contact the office of the Commission through letter or on Phone, Nos. 011-23385271, 011-23381125, 011-23098543 or Fax Nos. 011-23387310, 011-23384472.

The Election Commission of India, vide its letter no. 78/2011/EPS, dated 10th January, 2012, had issued instructions to the Chief Secretaries of the States of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and the Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel & Training, inviting their attention to the provisions of Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which provides for the grant of paid holiday to the employees on the day of the poll.

The Commission has reiterated that the above mentioned Section of the RP Act, 1951 requires that all establishments and shops including those which work on shift basis shall be closed on the day of poll in the Constituency where a General/ bye-election is to be held. However, there may be cases where a person is ordinarily resident of the Constituency and registered as an elector, may be serving/ employed in an industrial undertaking or an establishment located outside the Constituency having a general/ bye-election. It is clarified that in such a situation, even those electors including casual workers working outside the constituency concerned would be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday extended under the Section 135B(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. For example, the voters in the State of U.P. will be entitled to get a paid holiday from their employers, even if their location of employment is in Delhi or any other State.

The daily wage/casual workers are also entitled for a holiday and wages on poll day as provided in Section 135B of the R.P. Act, 1951.

It’s a move that will go a long way in empowering widowed/separated daughters dependent on their parents. Last month, the ministry of health and family welfare decided to expand the ambit of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) to include dependent children of widowed/separated daughters as beneficiaries under the government’s comprehensive health scheme. Till now, serving central government employees, pensioners, current and former members of Parliament, serving and retired judges of Supreme Court and high court, freedom fighters, accredited journalists, former governor and former vice president of India could avail of CGHS benefits.

“The move has been initiated with the aim of empowering widowed and separated daughters who live with parents who are CGHS beneficiaries,” said a health ministry official.

Though the health ministry does not have an exact count of dependent children of widowed/ separated daughters of CGHS beneficiaries, senior officials said the move would benefit thousands of children.